Kadomatsu, a pair of decoration, which consists of pine tree branches, plum tree sprays and bamboo poles, are placed in front of the gates of residences and buildings.

In fishermen’s villages, they fly colorful flags on their boats to pray for large hauls of fish and safe journeys on the ocean.

Japanese eat mochi, rice cakes, on new year’s day in various ways such as grilled and seasoned with soy sauce, wrapped with laver, coated with ground soybean, sweet bean paste or grated radish and so on.